ESPN
Following Kamala Harris’ loss in the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democratic Party is looking for a way forward as they regroup for 2026 and 2028. And according to a recent poll, ESPN analyst and hot take artist Stephen A. Smith is one person some Democrats are hoping throws their hat into the political arena.
Ever since losing in the 2024 election, a common refrain among Democrats is that they need to find “their own Joe Rogan,” which is essentially a way of saying they need a left-leaning celebrity/internet personality to help bring influential young men over to their party.
According to a poll from C-rated pollsters McLaughlin & Associates, Stephen A. Smith is seventh on a list of potential Democratic candidate with 2% of the vote, behind Kamala Harris (who just lost), Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsome, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Josh Shapiro, and Tim Walz. Smith is the only non-politician on the list.
SAS got wind of the poll and reacted to it with a meme of himself. Smith has previously said he would entertain the idea of entering politics if it was the right move for him.
https://t.co/sSpUi0hY2d pic.twitter.com/8Y6vMROewB
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 30, 2025
“I have no desire to be a congressional figure or a senator. But if you came to me and you told me I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would definitely consider it,” Smith said on The View back in November.
While the 2028 election is obviously quite a ways away, the current betting favorite to be the Democratic nominee is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, followed by California governor Gavin Newsome and a tie between Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Department of Transportation head Pete Buttigieg.
For the Republicans, current Vice President JD Vance is the overwhelming betting favorite to be the nominee, followed by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and Donald Trump Jr.